A court decision has led the city of Osage Beach to ask voters to consider a local use tax on all vehicles purchased and licensed in Osage Beach.

Aldermen last week approved first and second readings of an ordinance placing the issue on the April 2 ballot. The use tax would be at the same rate as the current sales tax of 2 percent. Again, the use tax would apply only to vehicles purchased and licensed in Osage Beach.

City Attorney Ed Rucker told the board that before last year, the local sales tax was imposed on vehicles about within the city. However, the court action of Street v. Missouri Department of Revenue prohibited the collection of sales tax on a vehicle purchased from an out-of-state vendor.

Such a tax had previously been collected by the Department of Revenue and remitted to the city after the vehicles were licensed. For receipts from sales use tax on vehicles, the DOR will collect the tax and remit it to the city.

Rucker said the ordinance is the only option available under state statutes to address the effects the court decision. The city could lose $33,000 in sales tax revenue if voters don't approve the use tax.

The cities of Camdenton and Laurie and Camden County are placing similar proposals before voters in April.

Missouri Solar Applications

Missouri Solar Applications is, in effect, asking the city for permission to offer a program to any commercial business within the city that would provide loans for energy efficiency improvements.

The city would have to join the Missouri Clean Energy Development board before Missouri Solar Applications, a privately-owned company, would solicit business in Osage Beach. It's all part of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program.